Tensions Rise as India Launches Operation Near Akhnoor
The operation has significant implications for regional stability, with the US and UN calling for de-escalation and a responsible resolution. The conflict over Kashmir remains a major point of contention between India and Pakistan, with both countries claiming the region in full. The situation near Akhnoor and other affected areas remains tense, with the potential for further escalation.
India's military has launched an operation, code-named "Operation Sindoor", targeting sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, prompting a vow of a robust response from Pakistan and sparking international concern.
The operation comes after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which India accused Pakistan of being involved in. Islamabad denies the accusations. The Indian defense minister, Rajnath Singh, tweeted "Victory to India!" after the operation, while Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said the country "has every right to give a befitting reply to this act of war imposed by India and a befitting reply is being given."
The conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir has been ongoing for decades, with both countries claiming the region in full. The two nuclear-armed rivals have fought three wars over the territory, and tensions have been escalating in recent years. The Indian government has accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, while Pakistan has denied involvement in the recent attack.
The US has urged both countries to work towards a responsible resolution, citing the need for long-term peace and regional stability in South Asia. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has also urged India and Pakistan to "avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control." The operation has led to the closure of airspace in Pakistan, with multiple airlines rerouting flights.
As the situation continues to escalate, the international community is closely watching the developments, with concerns of a potential military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed rivals. The Indian government's decision to stop its water from flowing across international borders has also sparked concerns, with Pakistani leaders warning that it "will be considered as an act of war".